Improvement in cultivators



ZSh-eets-Sheet 1.

1. UTTER. Cuiltivator.

No.`219,326. Patented sept. 2,1879.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

I. UTTBR., Cultivator.

No. 219,326. Patented sept. 2,1879.

NPEIERS, FHQTOAUTHOGRAPHRR. WASHINGTDN, D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

ISAAC UTTER, OFROOKFORD, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN CULTIVATO RS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 219,326, dated September 2, 1879 application iiled February 8, 1879.

To all whom it 'may concern:

' Be it known that I, ISAAC UTTER, of the city of Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Cultivators, of which the following is a specification.

\ This invention relates to that class of cultivators known as the straddle-row walkingcultivator,7 and of that variety in which the draft of the respective drag-bars with their attachments are independent.

rlhe object of this invention is to 'produce a straddle -row walking-cultivator with dragbars having an independent draft and a limited baek-and-forth movement, and constructed with an adjustable draft attachment, by means of which the force required to operate the cultivator may be properly divided between the drag-bars and the main frame to properly regulate the downward draft on the neck of the team, whether large or small animals are employed to operate the machine; and, further, to separate the respective lines of draft to ob- .tain sufficient distance between the inner ends of the whiffletrees to freely pass the plants without injuring them. These and other improvements, which will be hereinafter explained, are represented in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation, in which the near carrying-wheel is omitted, and in which the dotted lines show some of the possible positions of some of the parts. Fig.\2 is a plan view embodying my invention. Fig. 3 is a central transverse vertical section on dotted line x and Fig. 4 is a central lengthwise vertical section of the joint connecting the drag bar with the axle of the carriage, taken on dotted line y.

In my improved cultivator the main frame is composed of like lengthwise beams A, to which are bolted the central crosswise beam, B, and the front crosswise beam, C. These beams form a rectangular frame, to the lengthwise center of which is bolted the tongue D, to project forward of the frame. These parts, framed and secured together as represented in the drawings, constitute the main frame of the machine.

E represents the divided axle-tree, which is composed of independent like halves of the crank form, as represented, and in this instance are made of tubular material, joined by suitable connections in substantially the same manner as it is common to connect such tubular parts. The upper horizontal portion of these independent like halves of the divided axle-tree are independently journaled to the receive the depending or vertical arms' of the independent like halves of the divided axletree, to limit their back and forth swinging movements, and to give increased firmness thereto laterally.

At c are represented sleeves fitted to receive the lower horizontal portion of the independent like halves of the axle-tree, and from their forward sides projects the under portion of the hinge which connects the forward ends ofthe drag-bars to the axle-tree. The outer ends of the lower horizontal portion of the like halves of the divided axle-tree are fitted in axle form to receive the carrying-wheels F, to revolve thereon in the usual manner.

G are dragbars, fitted with the usual appliances of shovelstandards d, adjustable slipbraces c, sh ovels f, adjustable shields g, and adjustable handles h, all of which are substantially the same as like partsnow inV common use in walking-cultivators. The forward ends of these drag-bars are slotted horizontally, into which is fixed the jointplate fi, which, by pivot-bolt connection with the lower portion, c, of the hinge, serves to connect the dragbars to the wheeled carriage in the usual manner, to permit of a free lateral and vertical movement of the rear ends of the drag-bars and hold the shovel-standards in a vertical position, that by means of the handles the shovels may be carried by the operatorl to p either side to conform to the sinuosities of the rows of plants for'thorough and equal cultivation.

At lc are shown staples adapted to engage the hooks l on the rear ends ot' the lengthwise beams of the main frame, and serve to hold the plows suspended when required.

At H are represented branching draft-bars, having their rear branching ends pivoted to the lower horizontal portions of the divided axle-tree, from which they extend forward and meet in advance of the wheels, where they receive the lower end of the vertical draft-bars m, and are connected therewith by a pivotal joint. The upper ends of the vertical draftbars m are connected to the outer ends ofthe forward cross-bar, C, by a pivotal ljoint, and the lower portions of these vertical draft-bars are provided with a series of holes, as at a', adapted to receive the ceuter hook of the whiftletrees o, which are made vertically adjustable thereon to divide the draft ofthe team between the axle and the mainframe, to properly balance the machine to regulate the downward draft on the necks of the team in the use of large or small animals. The Whittietrees are substantially the same as some Whittletrees now in use.

In the foregoing I have described the parted axle-tree as constructed of tubular material,

which I prefer; but it may be constructed in 'divided crank-axle journaled thereto, and capable of independent back-and-forth swinging movement, and the plow-beams, of the limiting slotted brackets b, the branching crossbars, and vertical evener-bars, pivoted at their Lipper ends to the main frame, and at their lower ends connected with the forward ends of the branching draft-rods, substantially as set forth.

. ISAAC UTTER. Witnesses:

A. 0. BEHEL, J AMES FERGUSON. 

